Pokemon: I'll Exchange Everything

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It was another bright and sunny day. Liam had just finished breakfast early in the morning and immediately dashed out. 

His destination? 

Professor Oak's lab!

Last night, he'd received a strange communication. The voice on the other end had clearly been synthesized and distorted, and it claimed that someone would be waiting for him outside Professor Oak's lab that morning—to deliver the time and location for his Champion challenge.

Liam had asked why it couldn't just be delivered directly, but all he got in return was a dismissive chuckle before the line went dead. So now, early in the morning, Liam was headed to the lab himself.

He took the usual route—passing by Delia's house.

As Liam jogged to the gate of the Ketchum residence, he spotted Delia and Lorelei stepping out together, as if they were heading somewhere.

"Hey, Liam! You're just in time!"

Delia saw Liam the moment she stepped outside. She quickly waved her right hand at him with a happy smile. Lorelei, who followed behind, also smiled warmly at Liam.

"Huh? Uh… you two were looking for me?"

Liam ran up and scooped Delia into his arms as she jumped down the steps, laughing as he asked.

"Hehe, it was Lorelei's idea. We talked a lot last night, and when she found out Professor Oak's lab had all sorts of different Pokémon, she wanted to see for herself. So we got up early to come find you—but it looks like you came on your own! Good instincts…"

Delia leaned into Liam's chest, patting it playfully with both hands and flashing him a look that clearly said, Nice job, kid.

"Oh? That's perfect. I'm actually headed to Professor Oak's lab myself. There's someone waiting for me there. Let's go together."

Liam, whose physical condition had improved significantly after awakening his bloodline, didn't mind Delia's playful smacks at all. They didn't hurt, and besides, it's not like she was actually hitting him hard.

Lorelei, watching the two getting all lovey-dovey first thing in the morning, puffed up her cheeks and hurried over to Delia's side. She grabbed Delia and hugged Liam too, her voice full of mock frustration.

"This is blinding! Too blinding! Delia, how could you sneak off without me? You're going to blind me with all this PDA! I want in too!"

"..."

"..."

"Ahem. We should probably get going. It wouldn't be good to keep someone waiting…"

An awkward silence hung in the air. Liam finally broke it, forcing a smile and addressing the two girls.

"Yeah, yeah! Let's go, let's go!"

Delia nodded like crazy, raising her right hand high in the air while her left still clung tightly to Liam.

And so, Liam—completely resigned—dragged Delia along, while Lorelei clung to Delia, forming a chain of slowness as they inch-wormed toward the lab.

It truly was a crawl. A trip that should have taken fifteen minutes ended up dragging on for over half an hour.

When the trio finally reached the mountain-side gate of Professor Oak's lab, they saw from a distance a mysterious figure dressed in a pitch-black overcoat pacing back and forth at the entrance, clearly agitated.

"Ahem… excuse me, are you the one who contacted me yesterday?"

Liam cleared his throat awkwardly and approached, eyes on the stranger who was even wearing a face mask.

"Do you have any idea how busy I am?! And you made me wait here for so long! If not for Professor Oak—if it weren't for him begging me, I'd have walked away without a second thought, you hear me?!"

What startled Liam was that the voice behind the mask was female—and surprisingly deep and magnetic.

"Uh… sorry. Something came up on the way. I would've been here earlier otherwise. Totally my fault…"

Liam wiped the cold sweat off his forehead, looking helpless as he explained.

The cloaked woman glanced at Delia and Lorelei behind Liam, then sneered.

"Hmph… Young, but already a big shot, huh? You've got that same aura Oak had when he was your age. Always surrounded by beautiful women…"

She sized up Delia and Lorelei with a faintly approving gaze.

What the heck did Professor Oak do in his youth…? Why does she sound so… jealous? Liam shouted in his mind.

"Hey! Who the hell even are you?! You won't even show your face—what are you scheming, hiding like that?!"

Lorelei, clearly annoyed at the appraisal, let go of Delia, marched up to the stranger, and shouted sharply.

"Hehe, feisty one, aren't you? Want to know who I am? Fine. I'll show you."

The mysterious woman didn't get angry. Instead, she chuckled and removed her mask and hood, revealing a composed and mature face.

"Y-You're… Elite Four Agatha! I'm so sorry!"

Lorelei's eyes widened in shock. She stammered for a few seconds before hurriedly bowing and retreating behind Liam, leaving only half her face peeking out with a deeply apologetic expression.

"Ahem… I didn't expect to trouble Lady Agatha herself. I'm really sorry for keeping you waiting…"

Liam glanced at Lorelei, who now resembled a frightened quail, then turned to Agatha and bowed respectfully.

"Heh, Oak is in the middle of special training and couldn't step away. He had no choice but to ask me for help. I couldn't exactly say no after all these years. Here—this is your Champion challenge invitation. Inside, you'll find the location and time. Don't be late like today."

Agatha pulled a finely sealed golden envelope from her coat and handed it to Liam.

"Well, my task here is done. I won't linger. I've got other things to take care of. We'll meet again someday. Oh, and you two—"

Agatha put her mask and hood back on, then turned to Delia and Lorelei, her tone turning firm.

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Mhm!"

Both girls answered at once.

"Hehe… I can tell you're both fine girls. That this kid caught your attention—well, that's his blessing. But don't spoil him too much. And don't let go easily, either! Love isn't something to be given up on. Hold onto it, or you'll end up like me—full of regrets. That's all. Farewell."

As soon as she finished speaking, a heavy ghostly fog erupted from within her coat, shrouding her form as she floated away into the distance.

"So scary…"

Delia finally exhaled once Agatha was gone, patting her chest in relief.

"Totally! I thought she was going to punish me or something! That was terrifying! I've decided—I'm never challenging Agatha for my Elite Four run. No way. Way too scary…"

Lorelei let out a long sigh, visibly relieved.

"Heh…"

Liam gave a speechless chuckle at Lorelei's reaction, then opened the envelope in his hands.

The contents were straightforward: the date and location of the battle.

Battle Date: Fifteen days from now. 

Location: Mt. Moon Range.

"Sigh… Not much time left… Looks like I'll need to fully master that form soon…"

Liam furrowed his brows and let out a quiet sigh, speaking to himself.